Mobile Broadcast Technology Gives Consumers Access to TV Programming Anytime, Anywhere
EINDHOVEN, The Netherlands – Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE:PHG)(AEX:PHI) today announced its first TV-on-mobile solution for the U.S. market, just three months after launching its European solution. Through its early technology development and involvement in global trials, Philips is leading this new trend in mobile multimedia entertainment, which is reported to grow to at least 10 million wireless customers in the U.S. by 2010 (ABI Research). TV-on-mobile technology will provide consumers with live access to news, sports highlights, music videos, interactive programming and more on mobile phones, personal media players (PMP) and other small portable TV devices.
Philips new Digital Video Broadcast – Handheld (DVB-H) front-end solution, BGT211, delivers low-power consumption, enabling manufacturers to offer consumers the ability to watch TV for hours before needing to recharge. The size makes it easy to integrate the module into mobile phones, enabling extensive product differentiation for smaller, more elegant phone designs with greater consumer appeal. Philips unique offering is a complete solution which addresses both the tuner and channel demodulation functions.
“Philips is paving the way for TV-on-mobile, enabling consumers to connect to live TV, as well as pictures, movies and music, all while on the move,” said analyst Will Strauss, president and technology analyst, Forward Concepts. “By supporting the most widely accepted standards in TV-on-mobile, DVB-H and Digital Video Broadcast — Terrestrial (DVB-T), Philips furthers standardization globally, which will be critical in enabling a consistent user experience that will drive mass consumer adoption in this market.”
The BGT211 solution for TV-on-mobile contains all of the functionality of a complete digital TV front-end receiver and does not require any external components. In addition, Philips customer development kit ensures smooth, easy development and reduces time-to-market for TV-enabled cellular handsets. The BGT211 includes programmable options that support evolving standards and the introduction of upgrades, even after systems have been deployed in the field. Philips can also offer customers expertise in integrating an antennae solution which can simplify the development process.
Philips also recognizes that industry collaboration will be critical to TV-on-mobile adoption in the U.S. and is working with leaders in this market, including Crown Castle Mobile Media, to bring this technology to consumers in 2006.
“We believe Crown Castle Mobile Media’s ownership of unencumbered nationwide spectrum will make our planned deployment of a high quality, reliable DVB-H network possible in the United States. We also have unique expertise across wireless network, broadcast and content platform operation that is necessary to bring this innovative rich media service to market,” commented Michael Schueppert, president, Crown Castle Mobile Media. “What does this mean for U.S. mobile subscribers? Working with companies like Philips, Crown Castle Mobile Media anticipates delivering a superior and affordable live video and audio programming experience comparable to what’s available with digital television and satellite radio — anytime, anywhere — to consumers’ handsets, laptops and portable media players in major U.S. markets.”
“Philips was the first to demonstrate a complete TV-on-mobile solution for Europe and we are pleased to do the same for the U.S.,” said GertJan Kaat, senior vice president and general manager, Mobile & Personal Business Unit, Philips Semiconductors. “To reinforce our commitment to the growing mobile market, we are dedicating significant resources to developing next generation products that are designed around our customers needs. Philips TV-on-mobile products will continue to offer our customers a competitive advantage through decreased size, ease of function and increased performance.”
Availability
The BGT211 complete solutions are currently sampling to top cellular phone and small portable TV devices manufacturers worldwide.
About Royal Philips Electronics
Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE:PHG) (AEX:PHI) is one of the world’s biggest electronics companies and Europe’s largest, with sales of EUR 30.3 billion in 2004. With activities in the three interlocking domains of healthcare, lifestyle and technology and 161,100 employees in more than 60 countries, it has market leadership positions in medical diagnostic imaging and patient monitoring, color television sets, electric shavers, lighting and silicon system solutions. News from Philips is located at http://www.semiconductors.philips.com.
About Crown Castle Mobile Media
Crown Castle Mobile Media is a subsidiary of Crown Castle International Corp. (NYSE:CCI). Crown Castle engineers, deploys, owns and operates technologically advanced shared wireless infrastructure, including extensive networks of towers. Crown Castle offers significant wireless communications coverage to 68 of the top 100 US markets and to substantially all of the Australian population. Crown Castle owns, operates and manages over 11,000 and over 1,300 wireless communication sites in the US and Australia, respectively. For more information on Crown Castle visit: http://www.crowncastle.com.
